Leading with the Restorative StrengthsFinder Talent

Restorative StrengthsFinder TL;DR.

The restorative StrengthsFinder talent means you are a natural problem solver who would rather redeem than waste. People likely come to you for help, and you don’t mind because diagnostics is like a fun game. 

You are a part of transforming the world around you from broken to fixed.

You’re always on the lookout for quality solutions and problems that need solving. You’re motivated by the possibility of bringing things back and making them whole again. 

You’re a serial problem-solver.

If you’re already familiar with StrengthsFinder, you can skip over the next section.

How do you lead well with restorative in your StrengthsFinder top 5?

So you’ve taken the StrengthsFinder assessment, received your results and found restorative in the list. Now you’re wondering how to grow or leverage this strength in your leadership. 

I love to solve problems. As I’ve coached numerous leaders, I’ve found that most good leaders are natural problem solvers.

These are five strategies I’ve seen restorative leaders use to multiply their problem-solving skills through their teams.

1. Learn to ask good questions.
2. Make problem-solving your job.
3. Don't take on too many broken things at once.
4. Let people solve their own problems. 
5. Find high-leverage problems.

Learn to ask good questions.

It will be tempting to rush in and start problem-solving. It’s fun, and you're good at it. I get it. But by taking a moment to craft your questions, you can also help others grow in their problem-solving skills. 

By asking problem-finding questions first, you unearth the root cause and diagnose in a way where others can see the problem and solution. 

When you teach and model good problem-solving strategies, you multiply the number of problem-solvers.

They will have greater ownership feeling like they were part of the solution, and are more likely to maintain the solution because they understand the root causes.

Make problem-solving your job.

People with the restorative strength go looking for things to fix and problems to solve. It’s not uncommon for them to start messing with things when there’s nothing on hand to fix. Sort of an “if it ain’t need fixing yet, break it,” approach. 

You’re motivated by the possibility of bringing things back and making them whole again.

A better option is to position yourself in a role where you get paid to solve problems. A couple of typical problem-solving jobs include:

• Consultant
• Medical professional
• Customer service
• Software development

But there are so many more. The reality is that people don’t just buy stuff; they buy solutions to problems. Those problems may be physical, emotional or philosophical. Once you begin to see this, any service or product is involved in solving a problem for someone.

Don't take on too many broken things at once.

If you just bought a business that needs to be turned around, maybe don't also move into a fixer-upper, adopt three high-need pets and decide to rebuild your car engine.

Overloading is a common struggle for anyone with the strengthsfinder restorative talent. You see a need, you see something broken, and you want to help make it whole again. 

Everything could use a second chance, right?

That is a very genuine and reasonable desire. But you must keep some margin for yourself and the people close to you. If it helps, think of margin like preventative maintenance for your life.

Let people solve their own problems.

You’re a serial problem-solver. Well, some people are serial problem-makers.

If you have people whose immediate reflex is to come to you when they encounter a problem, the best thing you can do for them is to help them learn to solve their own problems.

When you teach and model good problem-solving strategies, you multiply the number of problem-solvers.

This goes back to the idea of good diagnostics and problem-finding. Their underlying challenge is they don’t feel equipped to solve these problems independently. 

It's not helpful for you or them if you're always solving their problems. It’s not sustainable.

Instead, try helping them collaboratively diagnose the problem and encourage them to identify a solution they can carry out.

Find high-leverage problems.

You’re outnumbered. There are more problems out there than you can solve, more broken things than you can fix. 

You must prioritize. 

One simple strategy for prioritizing problems is to chart them on an effort/impact matrix. 

The top right is where you want to focus your efforts on the high-impact lower-effort problems. You’re looking for easy problems that make a big difference. You can knock these out quickly, and they change someone’s day. 

The second area you want to focus on is the high-impact high-effort problems. These take longer, and you can only do so many, but they are worth the investment.

Next steps for StrengthsFinder Restorative.

As you learn to lead using your restorative strength, you are a part of transforming the world around you from broken to fixed.

No more hopeless causes. See restoration come to people, processes, homes, companies and communities.

Think of margin like preventative maintenance for your life.

Leaders with the restorative strength can struggle with an antipattern of not knowing when to let go of a problem. Learning the strengths antipatterns will allow you to continue growing as a healthy, intentional leader. 

You are on an extraordinary journey to living and leading from your strengths. You can explore the list below to learn about the rest of your top 5 strengths.